Marlin Flake

[Relax62]

Ok… reaching out to all of you that have gotten me hooked on VA’s & VaPer’s (especially flakes and coin). I have read many mixed reviews on Marlin Flake and was just about to place an order until I started seeing several comments about it burning hot and tongue bite, which I seem susceptible to. I have learned to slow my cadence, which has helped immensely!
I’ve also seen mixed reviews on taste and how it takes a lite (burns). I’m not so concerned about taste as I realize there are many factors and everyone has different preferences, however, I am concerned about the bite.

Looking for some straightforward advice… does this stuff bite? For Va’s and Va/Per’s, I mainly smoke Luxury Bullseye, Escudo (not my favorite), Windjammer, Peterson Navy Flake, several Lakeland blends, and I’m really enjoying Anthology. So how does MF compare?

As always… thanks for your input!!

 

[isaac]

I don’t find it to bite, but boy do I need to dry the heck out of it. One of my favorites.

 

[BenMN]

I think it's worth trying. I like it ok. Lit some up now actually.

I don't reach for it often. It feels like a fair bit of work to me. But it can be good.

I like it fully rubbed and dried down. Mine is all January 2021 and newer. I've noticed significant variability between batches in that time.

 

[Relax62]

I don’t find it to bite, but boy do I need to dry the heck out of it. One of my favorites.

Thank you!! If it’s that moist… maybe folks aren’t drying enough and getting it hot. Would also explain the comments about frequent relights. A couple of folks said when they dry it out, it loses a lot of flavor. Is this true?

 

[Relax62]

I think it's worth trying. I like it ok. Lit some up now actually.

I don't reach for it often. It feels like a fair bit of work to me. But it can be good.

I like it fully rubbed and dried down. Mine is all January 2021 and newer. I've noticed significant variability between batches in that time.

Thanks for your input!!!

 

[BenMN]

I don't find it bitey.

I should add that when I was learning it, trying various preps and pipes,I cube cut some very wet flakes and smoked them in a 23cm x 35cm pot. This essentially created little Marlin Flake briquettes towards the end of the smoke. I would not recommend doing that.

 

[didimauw]

Thank you!! If it’s that moist… maybe folks aren’t drying enough and getting it hot. Would also explain the comments about frequent relights. A couple of folks said when they dry it out, it loses a lot of flavor. Is this true?

I get a better stronger flavor from crispy dry blends. I've never noticed a blend get worse drying it out.

 

[karam]

I get a better stronger flavor from crispy dry blends. I've never noticed a blend get worse drying it out.

Lakelands do, they lose a lot if dried in my experience.

Regarding Marlin Flake, it smells great in the tin and is a pleasant soft smoke, but for me it's a bit mild.

 

[alaskanpiper]

If you do order some, tack on some Old Gowrie as well. It’s an absolute can’t miss classic.

 

[Sigmund]

It is great stuff. Give it a try and as said rub it out and dry it some.

 

[TheWhale13]

Marlin flake is the only tobacco that has given me some kind of awful chemical reaction. Tastes really good though.

 

[VDL_Piper]

It’s delicious and I pretty much love all their offerings. Rub it out and 10/15mins of dry time and sit back and enjoy. Pairs well with some earl grey tea.

 

[captpat]

I've found the more recent offerings to require a fair bit of drying. I normally open a tin ~1 week before I expect to start smoking out of it, I'll leave the top off, and that gets it about right for smoking. I prefer Old Gowrie to HOTW or Marlin Flake.

 

[MattRVA]

Marlin Flake is a tough one for me… I really wanted to like it. It smelled great but the stuff is rubbery and hard to smoke without getting bit. I think it has cavendish, it has been a few years since I had it. @alaskanpiper said it best… get you some Old Gowrie, you won’t be disappointed.

 

[isaac]

Thank you!! If it’s that moist… maybe folks aren’t drying enough and getting it hot. Would also explain the comments about frequent relights. A couple of folks said when they dry it out, it loses a lot of flavor. Is this true?

I don’t notice any flavor loss. I’m also not afraid to let it dry for easily 6 hrs, and it’s still has a little spring. It’s not dry like pencil shavings.

 

[Hutch Piper]

Definitely worth trying but yes, it bites the heck out of me.

 

[FLDRD]

We all respond so differently to a blend you'll never know until you try. I have some and find it agreeable, but not necessarily outstanding. I wouldn't miss it as there are so many to try - but it could be YOUR all-star.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Anything Virginia based can bite, especially if pushed too hard. These are better (IMO) smoked very lowly, savored as it merely trickles from the pipe.

What you are drying away from the blend is water, which doesn't add anything to the flavor. But, if left wet, it adds steam, which can burn your tongue.

 

[tirefire]

If you do order some, tack on some Old Gowrie as well. It’s an absolute can’t miss classic.

^^^ This . . .

I bought a fairly young tin, and in spite of the perique and DFK, OG is the smoothest, coolest smoking VA blend in my tobacco supply.

 

[minerLuke]

I love Marlin Flake and buy it in bulk as often as i can, its a daily smoke for me. I don't personally find it bites and I really don't bother drying it out, I just smoke it as it comes.